The bible may be coming back into Georgia public schools. Your thoughts?

Question

ATLANTA - Georgia is poised to introduce two literature classes on the Bible in public schools next year, a move analysts say would make the state the first to take an explicit stance endorsing — and funding — biblical teachings.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070309/ap_on_re_us/bible_classes

Answer 1

Glad I don't live there.

When are they going to start Koran classes for the Muslim students? Or Torah classes for the Jewish kids? Or classes for any one of several thousand other religions?

Answer 2

Studying a work as literature isn't an endorsement of its content, and they wouldn't be legally allowed to FORCE any student to take the class - it would have to be an elective only. Since most Christians have never read the entire Bible, it will probably be a very good thing for Christian students to finally see what's REALLY in there - although I bet a lot of parents will complain when they find out that the Bible is full of commands to hurt, rape, and kill people.

Schools cover a LOT of fiction. They don't endorse teen suicide just because they read "Romeo and Juliet", or murder just because they read "Macbeth". The Bible is already covered in comparative religions courses, along with several other religious texts. It isn't (and can't be) taught as truth in a public school. If anything, teaching the Bible in schools (assuming it is done neutrally, as the law requires) would be a detriment to Christianity. They should be careful what they wish for.

Answer 3

While I firmly hold that the Bible is a book like any other book it is an important book. It is difficult to have an firm understanding of western history and civilization without having some understanding of the Bible. It has played an important role in shaping history, governments, politics, literature and art. As such it seem appropriate for courses to be offered in the Bible as Literature.

However what it teaches does NOT belong in a science classroom. Moreover the Biblical text should not be considered historical either. While there are historical elements within its pages it also contains a great deal of myth.

Answer 4

reading a artwork as literature isn't an endorsement of its content fabric, and they does no longer be legally allowed to emphasise any pupil to take the classification - it may could be an non-obligatory in reality. because maximum Christians have in no way examine the completed Bible, it may properly be an particularly reliable issue for Christian scholars to finally see what's truly in there - regardless of the truth that I wager truly some father and mom will whinge even as they discover out that the Bible is done of instructions to damage, rape, and kill human beings. colleges hide truly some fiction. they don't propose teen suicide only because they examine "Romeo and Juliet", or homicide only because they examine "Macbeth". The Bible is already lined in comparative religions classes, alongside with various different religious texts. it isn't (and may't be) taught as reality in a public college. If something, practise the Bible in colleges (assuming it truly is accomplished neutrally, because the regulation calls for) can be a detriment to Christianity. they could be careful what they need for.

Answer 5

From the purely secular point of view, it makes sense. Because the English Bible is what actually customized the English language. To not study it as literature just because some people (like me) happen to believe it is the Word of God, would be the height of narrow-mindedness on the part of so-called open minded non believers.

Answer 6

At least it's not going to be a required course, but I will be more interested in what happens should this become a case that reaches the Supreme Court. With the Bush appointee's shifting the balance of the court to conservatism, we will actually see what effect the Roberts/Alito confirmations will bring to judicial review in this country.

Answer 7

If it's actually a literature class, and other "sacred texts" are featured as well, I don't have a problem with it. If it's taught as religion, there's a big problem. The separation of church and state exists for a reason.

Answer 8

I have no problem with a "Bible as Literature" class if there are other literature classes that focus on religious texts as well. Otherwise it would appear the state is honoring one religion over another which is unacceptable.

Answer 9

Wow how to start a religious war within a community, one better pray they are all of the same religion, and belief, because if they are not their streets could run red, and you can bet it wont be paint.

Answer 10

I think that literature classes on the bible are bogus. It's certainly not a great piece of literature - multiple contridictions, one-dimensional characters, the plot is all over the place, no central theme.

It's obviously a thinly-disguised way to start teaching religion in public schools. Where it definitely doesn't belong. Of course, they can't teach comparitive religion either - because the christians keep suing schools that do. Not necessarily because their kids are learning about other religions, but because it treats THEIR religion like any other.

Answer 11

I am guessing this would be an elective class. I'm for it - I actually read the Book of Job in one of my English classes in high school (I went to public school) and there was no outrage. It was taught as literature, not as a message. And the Book of Job has a strong message.